Cable connecter



Feb. 24, 1931.

G. C. THQMAS, JR

CABLE CONNECTER Filed Jilly 26, 1926 INVENTOR George. C T/mmar I i BY ORNEYS Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE C. THOMAS, Jib, OF ELEZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMAS & BETTS ('10., OFELIZABETH, NEWV JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY CABLE CONNECTER jApplication filedrfuly 26, 1926. Serial No. 124,819.

This invention relates'to cable box and connecting means and more particularly to improved connectors for attaching cable to electric fixture boxes and the like.

An object of the invention is to produce an improved cable connecter ofthe type which leaves exposed a part of the box hole edge and which is capableofanchoring itself and a cable to the boi; hole edge without screw fastening means directly connected with or extending through the box; and furthermore it is an object to improve the anchorage means by which the connector is secured in the box hole and to improve the bushing means by which the wire is protected and guided at the ragged cable end.

The accompanying drawings show an example of the invention serving to explain its principle, construction and mode of application to an electric fixture box.

Figure 1 shows a plan View of the conrr'ecter stamping before it is subjected to the necessary bending operations.

Figure 2 shows the same stamping but having its abutment ears struck up at right angles to the stamping.

Figure 3 shows an elevation of the inner end or bushing end of the connector.

Figure 4% shows a side view of: the connecter.

Figure 5 show. an outside elevation of the connecter.

Figure 6 shows necter.

Figure 7 shows an assembly View of the connector anchoring a cable in the box hole.

Eiectric fixture boxes B are made with cable and connecter receiving holes H into which the cable C is introduced and anchored by use of the connector hereinafter described.

A cable connector constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention embodies a flat plate stamping having a portion sulficiently small to fit into a box hole and expose a part of the box hole edge. To this end a connector row portion 8 with a utment ears 9 struck or bent up at right angles thereto. narrow neck portion 8 extends between'box hole edge anchorage means in the form of a plan view of the conlate embodies a nar- The while the other leg forms a bushing to guide notches 10 which register with the box hole edge H. f

The anchorage means 10 disclosed herein simply shows an example of one suitable form of means to engage or fasten onto the 1- box hole edge by which the connector 1s anchored in the box against longitiulinal motion. The narrow neck portion 8 is integral with a box wall abutment 1:2 which is bent at right angles tothe portion 8. .The abutment 12 includes a cable passage 13 to admit the cable through the .connecter. The box wall abutment 12 defines one edge of the notches 10 while the abutment ears 5) define the other edge of the notches. Thus the ears 9 and abutment 12 are spaced apart right angles to the support member and thus the bushiiig 16 is held in spaced parallel relatio-nto the abutment 12.

Operating means such as a screw 18 is threaded through the connector and adapted to produce a reaction by which the notches 10 are forced and positively seated against the box hole edge. In this example of the invention the operating means comprises a screw 18 threaded through a screw hole 19 adjacent the anchorage means 10 and the screw 18 pointed to aids and adapted to bear against and react from the cable 0 to force the cable against the exposed box hole edge and react to render. operative the connecter anchorage means 10.

It is noted that in side elevation the connector assumes a general inverted U-shaped formation. On one free end of the leg of the U-shaped part there. is included support to carry the operatingmeans, i. e, a screw as mentioned. One leg 12 of the connecter is provided with a cable passage therethrough and protect the wires W and to act as a stop against which the rugged end of the cable C comes to rest. I I

The screw 18 is mounted between the par- -allel upstanding abutment ears 9 and is placed relatively close 7 to the anchorage means '10, the result of which is to simultaneously' grip the cable C against the exposed box hole edge and seat the anchorage means 10 in position'against said box hole edge and thus the connecter and the cable are anchored within the box hole and against the edge thereof by a single operating means.

The connecter is inserted in the box hole' H with the screw on the outside thereof in this example of the invention andthe screw is run down against the cable to anchor the parts in fixed position as shown in the general assembly View Flgure 7. The long'abutmentplate 12 embraces the cable and overlaps the rim of the box hole serving to close that part of the box 'hole not occupied by the cable, especially where the cable is smaller than the box hole. Furthermore the abutment plate braces the connecter in the box and aids in holding the screw and part 7 8 1n outstanding relation fromthe box wall outside the box until all parts are tightened up. 7 i a I a What I claim is:

1. A cableand box connecter comprising, a flat plate a portion of which is narrow and is of less width than the diameter of a box hole and formed to expose a part of the box hole edge directly to the cable, box hole edge 1 anchorage means included on the narrow portion engaging the box wall in the hole, an abutment included at right angles on the narrow portion resting against the box wall and including a. cable passage through which the cable extends into the box, a support'pon and forcing said anchorage means against 6.3 said box hole edge.

2. A. cable connector comprising a flat plate having a narrow part small enough to fit in a box hole and leave a part of its edge exposed, box hole edge anchoragemeans on the narrow part, saidanchorage means consisting of lugs bent at right angles to the narrow part, a screw threaded through the narrow part of the connecter adapted; to produce a-reactionfrom the cable andforce the anchorage means against 'a box hole-edge, an abutment plate provided with a cable pas- 'ture.

sage included at right angles on the narrow part, a support included at right angles on the abutment plate, and a bushing included at right angles onthe support with its aperture in alignment with said abutment plate cable passage.

"3. A cable connecter comprising a fiat plate having a narrow part small enough to fit in a box holeand leave-a-part of-its edge exposed, box hole edge anchorage means onfthe narrow part, said anchorage means consisting of a pair of lugs bent at right angles to the narrow part so as to present an edge of each lug to the box wall,

an abutment plate included at right angles to the narrow part and bent in a, direction opposite to the direction of the anchorage lugs,- a cable passage through the abutment plate, and "a screw in the 'connecter adjacent the anchorage means. H

' In testimony whereof I aflix my signaenoaen o. THOMAS, JR. 

